Marcel Duchamp’s Objets Trouves - Are They Art?
February 7, 2008
By Jack Wilson Marcel Duchamp shocked the art world and, forever after, the thought processes and anger centers of most people who have come across his work. His best known painting, done before he turned to physical objects, is probably ‘Nude Descending a Staircase’. As controversial as that was, described by one critic as “an explosion in a shingle factory”, and his painting a moustache on a reproduction of the Mona Lisa, nothing quite outraged the art cognoscenti as his finding a urinal, turning it upside down, titling it “Fountain” and entering it in a major art show under the name... Read more »
Reverse Glass Painting - Centuries Old Art Form
January 30, 2008
By Alan Beggerow Reverse glass painting is the art of painting an image on the reverse side of a piece of glass or glass object so that the image can be viewed from the unpainted side. It has been done since early in the sixteenth century in Europe, and was known in China during the early 18th century. This style of painting has been used for religious art, abstract art, clock faces, realistic landscapes, and scenes with people and portraits. It is a very exacting art form, especially when done as a realistic painting. The image is actually painted in reverse order on the glass. The finishing details... Read more »
Rhythm & Balance
December 5, 2007
By Domen Lombergar Balance is the perception of visual equilibrium, and relates to our physical sense of balance. It is an appeasement of opposing forces in a composition that results in visual stability. Most successful compositions attain balance in one of two ways: symmetrically or asymmetrically. Balance in a three dimensional object is simple to understand. If balance isn’t achieved, the object tips over. Symmetrical balance means having equal “weight” on equal sides of a centrally placed fulcrum. You can also call it formal balance. When the elements are arranged equally... Read more »
Learn Graffiti - its the new cool!
December 4, 2007
By Neil Campbell It is only recently that graffiti and the street art scene have been viewed as something more than just an underground artistic movement. The image of the lone writer has been transformed from a deviant character to someone who should be showcased and promoted for his or her talents. With the emergence of street art collectives such as Cable Street, Scrawl Collective and Monorex, a niche has opened in the market for popular graffiti. Almost every night in London, a gallery space or bar is exhibiting the work of an individual graffiti artist.... Read more »
Abstract Act
October 28, 2007
Abstract art is often an acquired taste. The article below is actually quite cute in displaying how art value and art taste can be in contrast with one another in the theater of life and family. Enjoy! “Abstract Paintings, You Either Love Them Or Hate Them I’m a buyer and collector of abstract paintings. There are few things I like more than finding ones that appeal to me. My favorite type of painting is done in gouache and I have several favorite artists. I know a lot of men spend their weekends playing golf or lurking in home improvement stores. I spend mine prowling garage sales.... Read more »
Learn how to Draw 101
October 27, 2007
I have a friend, who has a strong sense of design and home decoration. However, when you talk to her, she would be most adamant about NOT being creative. So, one day, I’ve given her an art class, i.e. for 1/2 an hour I made her to sit still and draw from memory the million little lines of a crumbled ball of waste paper. A turning point, as it taught her how to look. It taught her how to relax and ‘just do it’. It was the start of her art development. She has thanked me since many times over. This article ‘Diving Into Drawing‘ reminds me of this little investment... Read more »
